System and method to scavenge latent heat and freshwater from air and more

ABSTRACT

Atmosphere contains huge vapor latent energy. This set of inventions discloses a method to scavenge the said latent heat and distribute it to heat demanding space, or for power generation. The condensed water can be collected for living, such that makes special sense for desert or marine zone. It is well known that a cup of hot coffee sitting on glass table can produce water droplets underneath bottom cavity. This invention is mimicking the said hot coffee phenomenon. Different embodied apparatuses are depicted: one is totally a free energy version with special hydrophobic IR reflection coating design, the other one needs minor energy to wipe away the condensed water in a pulse mode. All embodiments must have a starting process to warm up working fluid in a partially insulated container by whatever heater. Although the description is lengthy, it is worthy to seriously study the full contents for the spirits of revolutionary exploitation of free energy.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONS

The present inventions relates to energy transformation and heat or power generation system.

Atmosphere contains huge vapor latent energy. Converting it to usable heat or power in economic way is a hard challenge because of its nature of low grade heat.

Only by condensation, can the latent heat hidden in vapor be released out. The usable energy always means output of large joules in a short unit time—second. The higher power we need, the quicker condensation must be. Generally speaking, condensation often impresses us a slow procedure, so flash condensation may be just a dream, though we can realize flash evaporation.

For engineering application, controlled condensation rate is just what we want here, because it determines the output capacity rating. However, even the said rate is not an easy controllable parameter.

Furthermore, the regular traditional condensation is done by cooling source, such that means a deep lower temperature reservoir than atmosphere is needed. But maintaining a cooling source is another costly challenge, hence that is why until nowadays our human being still no hope to massively develop atmosphere latent energy.

In other aspect, the freshwater resource is so important to the sustainable development of human being. Specially, for the residents in desert or marine zone, freshwater does matter for their surviving.

Although the commercialized desalination equipment is available in market, but its price and energy consumption is only oriented by corporate use, so both may be not affordable to household use for general public living in marine environment.

By scavenging latent heat of air, simultaneously freshwater can be collected. That is the side-benefit to the special districts.

The moisture amount of real air is highly depends on the ambient temperature, because the saturated amount is the function of temperature. The higher the temperature, the more water the air can contain.

For example, in frozen point 0° C., max 5 g/m³ (grams per cubic meter); 25° C., max 23 g/m³; 30° C., max 30 g/m³; 40° C., max 51 g/m³; −20° C., max 0.9 g/m³.

Don't under-estimate the great energy hidden in the moisture, even simple calculation will amaze you.

For example, at frozen point 0° C., 1 atm:

water vapor internal energy 2374 kj/kg, liquid 0 kj/kg, the phase change from gaseous to liquid will result in internal energy loss 2374−0=2374 kj/kg.

For the saturated water 5 g/m³, the contained energy=0.005*2374=11.87 kj.

The specific heat capacity of dry air is about 1 kj/kg/K, and air density is 1.29 kg/m³.

So if all the 5 g vapor condensed, the released energy 11.87 kj can raise the temperature of the same volume 1 m³ air up to 11.87/1.29=9.2° C.

At room temperature 25° C., 1 atm:

water vapor internal energy 2409 kj/kg, liquid 105 kj/kg, the phase change from gaseous to liquid will result in internal energy loss 2409−105=2304 kj/kg.

For the saturated water 23 g/m³, the contained energy=0.023*2304=53 kj.

The specific heat capacity of dry air is about 1 kj/kg/K, and air density is 1.29 kg/m³.

So if all the 23 g vapor condensed, the released energy 53 kj can raise the temperature of the same volume 1 m³ air up to increment of 53/1.29=41.1° C., then the autonomously heated air temperature=25+41=66° C.

Heating value is an important index of fuel. In a sense, water vapor is a special ‘fuel’, its releasable latent energy can be regarded as its heating value about 2.3 MJ/kg. Compared with the gasoline's heating value 47 MJ/kg, the 2.3 MJ/kg of water vapor is about 5% of gasoline, but still remarkable and no need to pay, it is totally free!

Not like the combustion, the condensation is not reviewed as chemical reaction, but in a sense, it is a quasi-chemical reaction and a quasi-combustion, because vapor molecular exists in single, but liquid molecular exists in cluster of multiple basic molecular by hydrogen bonding, for example, the typical 6H₂O polymerized clathrate stable molecule.

Cold Vapor and Hot Dry Steam, which One Contains More Latent Heat?

By intuition, you may probably give the answer to hot vapor, but the right answer should be the cold vapor if careful calculation done.

The herebefore calculation shows: for the 0° C. vapor, latent energy=2374 kj/kg; for 25° C., reduced to 2304 kj/kg.

By lookup to textbook, we get: for 101° C. vapor or say steam, condensation will release latent energy=2507.2−423.3=2084 kj/kg. Obviously it is less than 2374 kj/kg in 0° C.

So don't despise cold vapor anymore!

Above calculations clearly demonstrate the powerful energy hidden in our daily breath air.

This invention is trying to offer an economic and feasible solution to scavenge the enormous hidden air energy and fix the dilemma of freshwater resource.

SCIENCE BEHIND THE INVENTION

The instant condensation is always a challenge to scientists and technologists. Quickening the condensation procedure is still the ongoing target in this realm. The condensation course needs the assistant of massive nucleus. Nowadays many modeling and simulation for the nucleation was done, such as non-equilibrium model and electrohydrodynamic model etc., but none is perfect and in theory. However, it practically may be tangibly enough to cope with our applications.

In quantum theory, particles are supposed to occupy different discrete energy level, and the lower the level, the more stable the state; further, the high level can always go down to low level naturally. The doctrine also states that lower level can be push-up to higher level by absorbing photon energy, as well as higher level can be slip-down to lower lever by emitting photon.

However the laser theory and application prove that the particles of higher level state can be kicked down to lower level state, ironically not by nature, not by the “slip-down” function of the initiative photon emission, but by “push-up” function of absorbing a “starter” photon from a light pump.

Macroscopically speaking, just like laser particle state, gaseous matter can be regarded in metastable state. It can be stimulated to go down to lower level liquid state by agitation in whatever direction of no matter “push-up” or “slip-down”. For example, condensation by exchanging heat with lower temperature medium is the “slip-down”, as well as by pressurizing the vapor or by high temperature electric spark arc is the “push-up”.

This can be understood by analogue with this scenario:

An oval stone is stuck at the middle of a smooth slope because of friction with the surface. The friction must not be too big. The best state is that the friction is just a little bit larger than the projected gravity. Of course, you can drag it down the slope easily. But you should not assume push-up doesn't show the same last result with the slip-down. By a thrust push force upwards, the stone will go up the hill first, then its velocity will be reduced to zero, relax shortly, then it will slip down the slope naturally until sitting on the lowest ground. Physics just labels it as non-equilibrium metastable phenomenon.

The Lord seems always to teach human being how to do. Before it is raining, the Lord use both the “push-up” and “slip-down” methods: cold air mixing (slip-down action), atmosphere pressure rising (push-up action), thundering and lightening (push-up action).

The following phenomenon only alludes the “push-up” stimulation for triggering condensation:

A cup of hot coffee is put on the glass table. You will soon see the condensed water underneath the cup bottom cavity over glass surface. The air underneath the cup is no materially different than other air nearby the table, just same temperature and humidity before the hot coffee cup sitting there, and warmer than previous moment after hot coffee cup sitting down. Don't confuse the bottom cavity unsaturated air and the air above immediate the coffee surface where fresh evaporated vapor is quickly doped into until full saturation. You may wonder why the vapor inside the said cavity condensed, as while the cavity outer vapor nearby the table not condensed. This specific phenomenon intrigues many researchers. I believe it is the ray of weak IR photon emitted by hot coffee itself that stimulates the underneath water vapor to condense quickly with emission of the amplified stronger IR ray. The multiple times reflection of glass table may reinforce the IR resonate effect in the narrow space between full reflecting glass and half reflection/half pass-through thin paper of cup. This looks much like the mechanism of laser. It obviously challenges your raw common sense that only cold surface can condense saturated hot vapor in the pristine “push-down” or say “slip-down” style.

Sooner in the following paragraphs, this believing will be supported by scientific analysis and experiments.

The bathroom mirror also condenses lots of mist in the similar rationale when showering therein.

The science behind the hot coffee phenomenon is never simple. Applying classic dew point theory is impossible to explain it, because classic theory only agrees with condensation by cooling down but never by warming up.

The accurate reasoning the hot coffee phenomenon should also take the thermal conductivity into consideration.

In physics, thermal conductivity (often denoted k, λ, or κ) is the property of a material to conduct heat. It is evaluated primarily in terms of Fourier's Law for heat conduction. In SI units, thermal conductivity is measured in watts per meter kelvin (W/(m·K)).

Practically, the published data for different materials is measured based on convectional and/or contactable thermal transfer. For example here is a short table cited from webbook of NIST for the hereby concerned elements or materials, room temperature, unit in W/(m˜K):

water liquid water vapor nitrogen(N₂) oxygen(O₂) air 0.54 0.019 0.026 0.026 0.024

For pure radiation thermal transfer, the thermal conductivity should be deemed infinity for all substance because the light velocity is the speed limit of cosmos.

For solid and most liquid substance except gaseous, pure radiation is not applied. Because we are dealing with the open air latent energy scavenging, we should seriously consider pure radiation for air, and just forget the regular thermal conductivity.

The studies in Raman absorption spectrum show that:

1. Vapor water absorbs all light waves at least from ultraviolet to far infrared except the very narrow waveband of so-called Atmosphere Windows: 1.4˜1.9 μm, 2.0˜2.5 μm, 3.5˜5.0 μm 8.0˜14.0 μm. (It is a meteorology jargon. Because neither vapor water nor carbon dioxide in air absorb all the light within the wavelength-windows, so only the IR rays within the said windows can reach outer space) 2. Liquid water absorbs all light waves at least from ultraviolet to far infrared with no significant exception in IR band. 3. Nitrogen, oxygen, or air absorbs almost ZERO IR and visible light wave energy except far ultraviolet about 110 nm. That means the atmosphere air is almost full transparent to IR.

Different material has different Raman spectrum. For a given single wavelength radiation input to a mixed gaseous substance with component A & B, if component A can absorb the input light, but B not, then A's temperature will rise instantly, but B stay unchanged. If we only study any transient phenomenon after light input, the regular thermal conductivity makes no sense, though the B's temperature may be increased slowly by molecular clash with A in the way of convectional thermal transfer.

Now, let me detail what should happen when the radiation of hot coffee emit IR photons underneath the cup bottom cavity.

First, we should identify what is the peak wavelength of the hot coffee. Assuming the temperature of hot coffee is 90° C., according to the Wien's law, the peak wavelength of the 90° C. radiation matter, is about λ=2890/(273+90)=7.96 μm,

Checking with the Atmosphere Windows, we find 7.96 μm is not within any Atmosphere Windows, so only water vapor will absorb it, given no absorption for either nitrogen or the oxygen in air, then the vapor's temperature rises alone, and create a big Transient Temperature Difference (TTD) between vapor H2O and glass table or surrounding nitrogen or oxygen.

The glass table is a high efficient IR reflector. Most IR rays will be reflected back, and the table no transient temperature increase theoretically. During the reflection travel, more chance for the vapor H₂O to absorb it, even unluckily not absorbed in the cavity, it will still be absorbed by the cup itself, or reflected again by the bottom surface. That mean an original radiation ray may happen 2 or more times reflection inside the air cavity. The TTD may reach as high as the same of the 90° C. minus ambient temperature in dot-like molecular space.

It is just the said TTD that makes condensation happen because the glass table provides enough nucleation particles and high temperature H₂O vapor molecule hit the cool nucleus.

By the way, such a condensation mode is just like a H₂O molecular sift, because it quickly kicks out IR-greedy molecular vapor H₂O from the mix of air.

In general, by such a specific molecular targeted selective radiation heating, if a special element is expected to separate from a compound, a special wavelength photon can be used to sift the said special element provided it is greedy to absorb the said photon and then can be condensed on nearby temperature unchanged nucleation elements after absorption, as well as all other elements including nearby nucleation elements are not interested in the said photon. I define it as Selective Radiation Thermodynamic Molecule Sift (SRTMS). In such a context of molecule sift, the possible latent release is not be concerned, but it does exist.

The said condensation is not the end of story. No doubt, condensation should result release of latent energy. The intrigue is that in what form the latent energy appears and where it is going.

Let's do some simple estimation and conjecture first.

At temperature 100° C., 1 atm, water vapor internal energy 2506 kj/kg, liquid 419.1 kj/kg, The phase change from gaseous to liquid will result in internal energy loss 2506−419.1=2086.9 kj/kg.

The specific heat capacity of liquid water is about 4.2 kj/kg/K which is just 1/500 of the phase change latent heat. That means the latent heat in 1 kg vapor is roughly equivalent to the heat that will be consumed to heat 5 kg water from 0° C. to 100° C., or virtually from 0° C. to 500° C. for same 1 kg water if there would be no phase change in any temperature range. In a sense, the vapor of water itself even in sensible 0° C., it can still be regarded as 500° C. virtual temperature.

1 kg H₂O=1000/18=55.56 mole, every mole contains 6.022*10²³ molecular, then every single molecule is credited with internal energy change 2086.9*10³/(55.56*6.022*10²³) Jules=6.24*10⁻²⁰ J. Because 1 ev (electron volt)=1.6*10⁻¹⁹ J, so every H₂O molecule lose energy 6.24*10⁻²7 (1.6*10⁻¹⁹)=0.39 ev. In contrast, the 1° C. or 1K temperature change is about 0.39/500=0.00078 ev per molecular.

Compared with the well-known 13.6 ev, the electron kinetic energy in hydrogen atom that runs at velocity 2190 km/s in Bohr sphere orbit, this phase change energy 0.39 ev is never a big deal, but a significant deal in molecular level.

Theoretically if this 0.39 ev is used to speed that electron, its velocity will increase from 2190 km/s to 2222 km/s, only gains 32 km/s, and the orbital jump can cause emission of photon which frequency=E(photon energy)/h(Planck constant 6.63*10⁻³⁴ J·S or 4.14*10⁻¹⁵ ev·S)=9.4*10¹³ Hz, or wave length=c(light velocity)/frequency=3*10⁸/(9.4*10¹³)=3.19*10⁻⁶ m=3.19 μm.

In other word, averagely speaking, calculation shows that every single H₂O molecule may emit a photon of infrared of wave length 3.19 μm while it joins with the growing cluster. Until now, it is just a guess based on the calculation and energy conservation.

The Epic Experiment of Condensation-to-IR and its Explanation

In 1968, two scientists Potter W R, Hoffman J G, pioneeringly found that vapor condensation can radiate infrared (IR). The paper of findings was published in the volume 12 of Infrared Physics Journal of that year. Until now lots of experiments by different scientists in different laboratories have verified the same fact of IR emission induced by phase change.

The FIG. 1 is cited from the said precursor's experiment report. It shows the radiation spectrum of boiling point vapor condensation. At the range of 1 to 4 micrometer (μm), the integral intensity is 4 times bigger in average than the Planck's radiation in same temperature. 2 main emission bands are seen at 2.1 μm and 1.54 μm wavelengths. The intensity of both bands exceeded the background radiation by a factor of 10. Probably 3^(rd) (2.5 μm), 4^(th) (3.2 μm) and 5^(th) (4 μm) that were not mentioned by the authors can be recognized on the curve.

The serendipitous finding in the experiments is that the 4^(th) peak 3.2 μm is coincidently almost the same value with the aforementioned guess value 3.19 μm! So hereby the said guess is proved.

Let's again and again review the 5 peak wavelengths in the experimental data: 1.54 μm, 2.1 μm, 2.5 μm, 3.2 μm, 4 μm.

The observed 5 radiation peaks (1.54 μm, 2.1 μm, 2.5 μm, 3.2 μm, 4 μm) seem possible to be explained within following paragraphs as:

The shorter the wave length, means the stronger the energy of photon. If the average energy in 3.2 μm is regarded as standard energy 100%, then the 5 peaks can be arrayed in energy sequence: 200% (1.54 μm), 150% (2.1 μm), 125% (2.5 μm), 100% (3.2 μm), 75% (4 μm).

Assuming 6 molecules of H₂O can build a stable cluster, so 600% standard energy will be emitted after cluster shaped. Because the individual cluster shaping dynamically with H₂O molecule joining one by one in different difficulty degree, not every single molecule does contribute same standard energy 100%, or say the energy distribution is not equal among the 6 molecules.

Just imaging the whole clustering procedure: the 1^(st) H₂O molecule seeking the 2^(nd) molecule is relatively a hard job, so it may consume double energy (200%), that may be why we see the 1^(st) peak 1.54 μm. The 3^(rd) molecule joined with 150% energy, that may be why we see the 2^(nd) peak 2.1 μm; the 4^(th) joined with 125%, that may be why we see the 3^(rd) peak 2.5 μm; the 5^(th) joined with 100%, that may be why we see the 4^(th) peak 3.2 μm; the 6^(th) last one closes the cluster with 75%, that may be why we see the 5^(th) peak 4 μm. Totally 650% standard energy is involved. The extra 50% of standard energy may be used for overhead of inter-cluster bonding.

If 6 molecules of H₂O is the stable liquid molecular after condensation, then the quasi-chemical chain reaction equation may be roughly as follows:

H₂O+H₂O=2H₂O+0.8 ev (1.54 μm photon)

2H₂O+H₂O=3H₂O+0.6 ev (2.1 μm)

3H₂O+H₂O=4H₂O+0.5 ev (2.5 μm)

4H₂O+H₂O=5H₂O+0.4 ev (3.2 μm)

5H₂O+H₂O=6H₂O+0.3 ev (4 μm)

According to the Wien's law, every above 5 peak wavelength should correspond to a virtual blackbody radiating temperature that can be calculated by T_(b)=2890/λ.

For the 1^(st) condensation peak 1.54 μm, T₁=2890/1.54=1877K=1877−273=1604° C.;

For the 2^(nd) condensation peak 2.1 μm, T₂=2890/2.1=1376K=1376−273=1103° C.;

For the 3^(rd) condensation peak 2.5 μm, T₃=2890/2.5=1156K=1156−273=883° C.;

For the 4^(th) condensation peak 3.4 μm, T₄=2890/3.2=903K=903−273=630° C.;

For the 5^(th) condensation peak 4 μm, T₅=2890/4=722K=1877−273=450° C.;

The above result may astonish you: all the condensation IR photon is so extreme hot even it can almost match burning fire or combustion!

A Brand New Theory—Invisible IR Combustion

Supported by the aforementioned quasi-chemical reaction equations, and its equivalent temperature, I boldly present a brand new theory—Invisible IR Combustion. Also I predict:

Just like visible regular combustion, there must be invisible IR flame perhaps in shape of plume during condensation process, and the IR flame is just consisted of the rising heated air elements that are pushed around mechanically during the water inter-molecular clustering process.

So in a sense, the condensation process is an invisible quasi-combustion process with no substantial difference with the regular gasoline combustion except in the quantity of the energy emission and no consumption of oxygen.

The fancy is that the condensation radiation is equivalent to a wide temperature range from 450° C. to 1604° C., that is far more than the hot coffee itself temperature 90° C. Then surely the radiation induced by condensation can heat the hot coffee conversely.

You have to admire the Lord's omnipotent miracle: all the condensation induced IR peak wavelengths except 3.2 μm are within different Atmosphere Windows. That means only the average IR photon 3.2 μm can be absorbed inside the cavity by next vapor molecular for cascaded self-priming stimulation to condensation (acting as a “push-up” trigger), if any surplus of 3.4 μm photon, the hot coffee will eat it. And all the other 4 photons can only heat liquid water, but not their generation source: water vapor.

Furthermore ratiocination, liquid coffee can be heated freely by air latent heat. So the niche cup bottom cavity is really the perfect condensation room with latent energy extraction possibility from the air moisture!

Anyway the fact of no observable fire or combustion, still invites the suspect of cold air heating hot water which is challenge to common sense and an offence to the 2^(nd) law of thermodynamics, or is the like of Maxwell's demon. The root causes of such a doubt are that IR light is invisible and that radiating transient moment is hard to capture and that it is misbelieved that every independent element vapor H₂O or N₂ or O₂ in compound gas of wet air is regarded as same sensible temperature i.e. the ambient stable temperature and that the ambient room temperature e.g. 20° C. is confusedly deemed the uniform temperature of the cavity, but in fact it is just the background temperature which also can be indicated by photon wavelength λ_(background)=2890/(273+20)=9.9 μm.

The reason that nobody can feel the hot coffee heated spontaneously, is that the heat dissipation rate of the open hot coffee cup is far larger than the heat provided by the vapor latent heat induced by condensation. If adequate insulation is there, then the converse heating phenomenon should be observed.

Either “push-up”, or “slip-down” stimulation to non-equilibrium state will consume certain amount energy. So does the “push-up” type IR self-priming or say self-pumping happened in the cup bottom cavity. As long as the stimulation energy is far less than the induced energy, we should recognize that the stimulation energy is sustainability positive factor and is worthy.

Let's verify the worth with the hot coffee phenomenon.

For a single H₂O vapor molecular, according to previous calculation, rising 1° C. will consume 0.00078 ev, then the triggering consumption for the max TTD=90° C.−20° C. (ambient)=70° C., the total consumption=70×0.00078=0.055 ev, after the said molecule condensed, its average gross output 0.39 ev, at last we have an equity=0.39−0.055=+0.33 ev. So it is worthwhile for the self-pumping stimulation.

Obviously, the Lord already does the best for us, so we should just supplement the extra effort to make the condensation process sustainable for our energy scavenging great cause.

If we are lazy to do nothing, then only the limited water droplets can be accumulated underneath the cup bottom cavity, and the hot coffee will cool down soon as the dissipated structure of cup ablating in its natural course, though some induced IR energy is produced but far less than the dissipation rate, that is all, no more you can expect!

In conclusion, the basic triggering chain comprises the cascaded 1^(st) triggering photon and 2^(nd) triggering photon: the 1^(st) triggering photon is emitted from the blackbody radiation of hot fluid, its wavelength is seriously dependent on the temperature of the hot fluid; the 2^(nd) triggering photon always comes from the condensation 4^(th) peak radiation−3.2 μm photon. A prerequisite condition for a sustainable condensation should assure both triggering photon wavelength not within the Atmosphere Windows. The 2^(nd) triggering photon 3.2 μm is already out of any Atmosphere Window, so the 1^(st) triggering photon must be guaranteed not to fall in any Atmosphere Window!

Any Outside Vapor Seeping into the Cavity Via the Bottom Rim?

For a non-anthropogenic natural course of hot coffee phenomenon, by careful observation and exact experiment analysis, we can find whether there is some outside vapor seeping into the cavity via the narrow insensible gap between the bottom rim of cup and the glass table.

What we observed after the hot coffee cup was sitting on glass table for 2 minutes and moved away is: lots of droplets about 3 to 4 mm diameter, 1.5 mm height of bead film.

Analysis: the cavity height is 5 mm, according to the common sense, the water film of 1.5 mm height is impossible to form if only the vapor inside the cavity is condensed, so THERE MUST BE outside vapor seeping into the cavity!

The real mass of condensed water can be weighed in a simple experiment. The cavity space volume can also be calculated based on the cup geometry dimension.

For same mass, in the experiment climate, the volume of vapor water is about 1244 times of liquid water. By theory calculation, if only vapor inside the cavity is condensed, then the thick of water film should be less than 4 μm, of course such a thin film is impossible to be sensed by eye.

So this obviously manifests that the condensed water comes from 1.5 mm×1000/4 μm=375 times air of the cavity volume.

The experiment also shows no more condensation will happen after a certain threshold time sitting on the glass table, no matter how long time prolonged. That means saturation will happen if no manual intervention. In fact, it can be explained as: the condensed water accumulation will reduce the IR reflection of the table, even totally eat the seed IR triggering photons 3.2 μm+7.96 μm because liquid water is so greedy to any IR photons.

Only by doing something positive to break the said saturation state or keep far away to the said saturation state can sustain the condensation, such as removing the condensed water quickly, insulating the container, controlling heat output distribution, etc., then the hope is looming that we can make use of free energy in air.

Because of the surface tension and viscosity, the growing condensed liquid water can form film on glass table. The said film is growing gradually, and getting thick and thick. The IR reflection performance of the glass table will be degraded gradually in accordance with the film growing, even reduced close to zero. That will halt the IR self-pumping stimulation to the condensation process, so as, at last it will result in saturate balance state, and no more new condensation.

Tilting the condensation surface is just the supposed method to remove the condensed water by gravity. Unfortunately it doesn't work to a maximal efficacy, because the surface tension mains the water film against the gravity.

System Capacity Rating

The condensation rate is the base for the system capacity rating.

Given the water vapor minimal releasable latent heat is about 2.1 MJ/kg, for every 1 kw capacity of thermal output or heat/power combined output, we should scavenge 1000 Jules from air per second. That needs an equivalent amount of condensing vapor=1000/(2.1*10̂6)=0.0005 kg/s=0.5 g/s, that means at least 0.5 grams vapor should be condensed to liquid water per second per kilowatt gross capacity.

If considering shaft work output, the efficiency should be taken into account for the capacity rating. Generally speaking, in high pressure & high temperature vapor, less than 30% energy is mechanic, as well as 70% more is hidden in latent energy. That's why even the best heat engine can only reach about 30% efficiency. So for expected 1 kw shaft work output, the foregoing calculation result should be roughly tripled to 3*0.5=1.5 g/s/kw^(shaft-work).

For a 100 kw typical application, the condensation rate should be at least 100*0.5=50 g/s. In regular air at room temperature, about 21 grams vapor per cubic meter. That means all vapor water in 2 m³ (cubic meter) saturated wet air should be condensed per second for 100 kw rating.

For 1 MW above large application, the condensation rate is linearly increased to 0.5 kg per second, and so on.

The higher the output rating, the quicker the condensation is demanded.

Flash condensation is still a technical bottleneck nowadays. In order to avoid the flash condensation demanded by the system of large capacity but in small space, the alternative method is to use as large as possible condensation area in a stationary heat/power plant, and/or to auxiliary stimulate by artificial “lightening” and/or “thundering” method that is frequently originated by the Lord, or say the electrohydrodynamics (EHD) method. Many experiments show that 20 kv sparking arc can accelerate the condensation significantly.

The rated output energy is the payload energy, so the system dissipation should be deducted from the gross capacity. The system dissipation is determined by the insulation condition, for example, if dissipating rate is 100 w/m², given container surface area 10 m², then total dissipation=100*10=1 kw.

The invisible IR flame also heats the cavity air microscopically in a mechanic way, though it is not significant, so the heated air constant displacement should be counted as system loss that is to be deducted from gross capacity.

Only when the gross capacity far larger than dissipation, the payload can make sense, otherwise the system is not sustainable, and may be no commercial value.

In some circumstance, a quality thermos is need that can maintain the contained hot liquid invariable temperature not just for 1 day, but for long time, and the maintenance energy should be very small, so as to be powered by dry battery. In such an appliance, the GrossCapacity=System Dissipation, the whole system is degenerated as a special thermos without aggressive energy output. I define such application as degenerated application or vestigial application.

What is the Best Started State?

Just as a regular car needs a starter 12V DC motor, the desired running state always begs your input first to form a boundary condition. Even the whole cosmos needs a starter too, so perhaps it is just the Load that kicked the cosmos at the very beginning moment, and then the cosmos runs until now.

The above lengthy scientific analysis already states that a starting process is needed for a workable air energy scavenger. The problem is what temperature of working fluid should be reached after a successful start. Simply mimicking hot coffee temperature probably works, but may not be the best initial temperature.

The principle is that we should see the hot working fluid radiating the right IR photons which major IR wavelengths NEVER lay within any one of the Atmosphere Windows. This prevents the emitted photon from being refused by vapor water.

According to the blackbody radiation theory, the curve of energy distribution vs. wavelength is as in FIG. 5. The λ_(m) is the wavelength that radiates most energy. The Wien's law can be employed to calculate the λ_(m)=2890/(273+temperature in ° C.).

Water radiation is very similar with blackbody radiation, and it is often the choice of practical design. Theoretically let λ_(m) stay outside of the Atmosphere Window should be the best practice.

However, even λ_(m) is within any Atmosphere Window, it may still be workable for starting a sustainable air energy scavenger, because some portion of blue-ish side (λ<λ_(m)) or red-ish side (λ>λ_(m)) can still be outside of the Atmosphere Window. For the example of 70° C., the λ_(m)=2890/(273+70)=8.43 μm, it does lie within the Atmosphere Window 8 to 14 μm, but it is not the recommended condition. As it is very close to the left side of the Atmosphere Window, so there is still significant energy stay outside of the window as per the blackbody radiation curve, or say it is still possible to radiate active valid 1^(st) trigger photon, though the risk of stalling is getting higher. But if λ_(m) too close to right of the Atmosphere Window, for example, 30° C., λ_(m)=2890/(273+30)=9.54 μm, observation almost no condensation, so it should be highly discouraged because the major energy will fall within the Atmosphere Window.

Of course, too high starting temperature means long starting time, and then high thermal loss rate because the thermal conduction amount is proportional to the temperature difference. We do wish the starting duration as short as starting a car in 1 second, though no such a possibility in this invention.

In other hand, as discussed in previous section, too high starting temperature will risk of defeating the seed 1^(st) trigger photon, then failure to maintain sustainable scavenging process. For 90° C., the 1^(st) triggering photon wavelength 7.96 μm, it almost touches the boarder of Atmosphere Window 8-14 μm. If increasing the said temperature, then blue-shift will happen, or say wavelength will be shorter, so no need to worry about falling in the said Atmosphere Window, but need to watch on possible risk of touching another Atmosphere Window 3.5˜5.0 μm after temperature reaching to 2890/5=578K=305° C.

Even during the stable running state, the system still risks of stalling if thermostat fails to maintain the temperature of the hot working fluid and lead the 1^(st) triggering photon to fall in Atmosphere Window.

As to the last issue, the energy consumed in system starting is not always worthwhile, only when the system has run at least for a threshold time T_(m) in which the scavenged accumulated output energy is larger than the input, then the invested input can be regarded as worthwhile.

Take example to calculate the threshold T_(m): Given the total mass of working liquid water 100 kg, ambient temperature 25° C., post-start working temperature 90° C., start-heater power 10 kw, rated output power 20 kw, then total input energy should be provided=100*(90−25)*4.1=26650 kj, starting time=26650/10=2665 seconds=44.4 minutes, minimal worthwhile running time T_(m)=26650/20=1333 seconds=22.2 minutes.

How to Make the Energy Scavenging Process Sustainable?

The answers to this question are just the core of this invention.

The chemical kinetics states that taking generated product away can help quicken the chemical reaction. So, diligently sweeping the condensation surface can be an available means.

The concentration difference of vapor can spontaneously drive vapor flowing from high concentration space to low one. So, keeping good ventilation is also important to sustainable process.

The other means is to use special manufactured IR reflector which surface is delicately plated with high reflection coating and a thin coating of hydrophobic nanometer-scale material, e.g. TiO₂. The said nano-coating works like the lotus leaf that is well known for its self-cleaning hydrophobic function. The said function makes the water droplet on the surface shaped as globular bead, so hence the water bead can be easily rolled off by gravity.

Anyway, this lotus-mimic means may be never cheap, but very expensive than the sweeping mechanism.

The exposed working surface is better to be made of performance IR pas-through material, such as IR glass, even the expensive quartz if necessary.

A mild IR reflection rate for the exposed working surface is also important for the photon triggering chain. We know if it is for laser output, the said surface should be half pass-through and half reflection for amplifying the pumped photon. Although this invention is not focusing in laser purpose, hereby the pumping photon, i.e. the 1^(st) triggering photon, is coming from the basic blackbody radiation of working fluid, by its alone affect may be not enough to main a sustainable operation, that is why the 2^(nd) triggering photon 3.2 μm induced by 1^(st) photon should join force with 1^(st) triggering photon and should have sufficient supply. So if the exposed working surface is of too excellent IR pass-through rate, it may be not too good to whole system.

A special formulated optical material can selectively reflect only the said 2^(nd) triggering photon of 3.2 μm, but pass all other 4 photons 1.54 μm, 2.1 μm, 2.5 μm, 4 μm induced by condensation through. It may be not cheap, but really perfect.

If not for performance, no need to care about the mystical IR material recipe, you can ease yourself by imaging that even the coffee paper cup can develop a sustainable condensation if you can mop up the condensed water by hand in every minute.

Any auxiliary means can be employed for quickening the condensation rate though just optional, such as artificial lightening and/or thundering that is a mimicker of the nature raining course. The EHD (electrohydrodynamic) driven by high voltage generator is just the way to implement the said effect. The sparking arc of EHD seems like lightening, as well as the noise caused by sparking seems like thundering. If quartz used, its resonant frequency 32768 hz is another type of ultrasonic “thundering”.

At last, the following equation should be satisfied for a sustainable energy scavenging process:

Insulated_Surface_Area (m²)*Insulation_Material_HEAT_LOSS_RATE (w/m²)+Exposed_Working_Area (m²)*Equity_Material_HEAT_LOSS_RATE (w/m²)<<Condensation_IR_radiation_power (w)

This issue will be further addressed in following paragraphs.

Re-Study how to Heat Air Correctly

As the side-fruit of spectrum analysis, a side-topic of air heating method has jumped into our attention.

The aforementioned studies in absorption spectrum show that:

Nitrogen, oxygen, the principle components of air almost never absorb any IR energy except far ultraviolet (UV) about 110 nm. Also visible light can not be absorbed. That means that the atmosphere air is almost full transparent to IR, but can selectively absorbs UV.

So in a sense, heating the space air by regular heater such as electrical resistance heater, or oil/wood furnace, etc. is never an efficient way, because any of the said heat source is basically an IR radiator though small percent ultraviolet may emit.

The reason that we still feel air warmed by traditional heater is because the space envelope and the moisture in air can be heated by IR source heater, then the heated elements collide with air, then warm up the air.

The outer space of atmosphere is closer to heat source—the Sun. Imaginarily it would be more hotter thereby than ground, but observations prove that is wrong. It can be explained by the theory of spectrum absorption: Because air is not the consumer of light wave of solar energy, so the outer atmosphere is hard to be heated even closer to the Sun, in contrast, the ground air molecules can be warmed up during massive collision with ground elements at relative higher pressure than high sky.

Perhaps by ultraviolet radiator of 110 nm, or mechanically kneading air is the better choice, unfortunately the ultraviolet does harm skin, and kneading air makes unwelcome noise that anyway can be tamed by muffler.

In the forthcoming paragraphs, a new mechanical space heating method will be detailed.

PRIOR ARTS

Obviously I present a brand new theory to systematically explain hot-stimulating condensation phenomenon that can be observed easily under the small cavity space of hot coffee bottom.

The prior patents and published matters based on the said new theory should be the peer or related matter with this invention, however it is hard to find the said reference matter, as my new theory is distinguished with traditional theory and may not widely be accepted in short term. So I have to only enumerate some partially related references as prior arts in hope of associating some subsystem in my invention.

China patent ZL00249997.5 presents an anti-fog mirror for vehicular use with hydrophobic plating of nanoscale TiO₂. Therein the condensed water on the mirror will quickly leave the surface.

The said patent and technology can play partial role in my invention if cost is not a sensible factor.

My previous US patent U.S. Ser. No. 14/555,378: “Apparatus of quasi-laser induced by vapor condensation and 2 thermodynamic cycling methods” presents deep analysis on IR radiation phenomenon induced by condensation. That prior system cannot depend on free air energy, then heating cost should be paid, but the benefit is that you can get instant quasi-laser, and quick start.

My other previous US patent U.S. Ser. No. 14/242,030: “Bovine or equine water jacket and combined heat and power cogeneration system” presents a method to scavenge cow's body radiation energy by harnessing systematically circulated water-jacket clothes on animal's body trunk. But animal's respiration-generated vapor via skin and mouth and nose is not perfectly scavenged. This current invention can improve that system of prior arts.

Lots of published dissertations analyze how EHD works and present the coefficience research between the condensation enhancement and different settings of the electric field polarity/strength. Such as the doctorate scholarship article “EHD-enhanced heat and mass transfer”, the research report: “EHD ENHANCEMENT OF BOILING/CONDENSATION HEAT TRANSFER OF ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS AND FROST CONTROL” by US department of energy published at link http://www.osti.gov/scitech/biblio/820038, etc. The said references are useful if the EHD option in my invention is considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

A method to scavenge latent heat and freshwater from ambient air I invent the so-called method of Wei Air Latent Energy Scavenger, in the abbreviated form of WALES.

Definition of WALES Method

WALES stands for the Wei Air Latent Energy Scavenger.

In this method, by mimicking the aforementioned condensation phenomenon happened underneath the cavity of hot coffee cup bottom, some initial energy is used to start the system by heating circulation fluid that is filled in a container with adequate insulation, hereafter the condensing surface is well maintained by frequently removing condensed water with whatever means, as well as the working fluid is heated by the released ambient vapor latent energy in form of IR radiation, as well as the energy output mechanism is circulating the heated fluid to distribute energy to demanding terminals if not for conservative degenerated application. The spirit in this method comprises adequate insulation and actions: starting, removing, and also the action of circulating if not for conservative degenerated application. The word ‘adequate’ thereof means that of only insulating unexposed surface and keeping exposed working surface for high efficient IR energy exchange.

The condensed water can be collected via gravity or by other method in other purpose.

The Modality Based on WALES Method

I invent the so-called WALES Modality that is based on the method of so-called WALES and can be embodied in conformity with the entire following description in current section of context until next invention is to be formally described. The previous sentence also constitutes the definition of WALES Modality.

The said modality can be formed in following settings and/or options:

Principle settings comprise: some amount of working fluid that is used for heat circulation, regular water is the cheapest choice; a working fluid container that is thermally insulated except an adequate surface exposed for the purpose of blackbody-like radiation in order to induce the ambient vapor water to condense; a good IR reflector that is positioned against the working fluid container's non-insulated surface; condensed water remover(s); a starting heater; a thermostat.

Options in the principle settings—there are 2 major choices for the condensed water remover: One is named as active scraper that typically is a rubber edged blade just like the vehicular windshield blade. It needs a driving component and consuming some energy. There is no need of continuous sweeping, because the water film is not grown instantly, so a pulse driving mode will meet the demand. The pulse mode can save driving energy.

The other one is named passive virtual remover that is typically a layer of hydrophobic nanometer coating that is plated on the IR reflector, needless of any power supply. If passive virtual remover is used, then the IR reflector should be tilted for the gravity function to remove the condensed droplets. For the active scraper, tilting is not mandatory.

The shape of the container of major components working fluid and IR reflector, can have plain or cylindrical or spherical shape, but not necessary limited to, as well as further 2 options for orientation of cylindrical structure: one is axis vertical to ground, that is the normal coffee cup style, and the other is axis parallel to ground.

Optional Settings Comprise:

-   1. Thermal output circulation plumbing hardware circuit with     insulation coat if necessary; one or a plurality of distributed     terminal heat radiator(s); heat output circulation pump. All those     are no longer optional, but mandatory if for aggressive energy     output, only omissible if for conservative degenerated application. -   2. The IR reflector can be tilted for best use of gravity to remove     most of the condensed water on its surface. That will bail out the     stress of condensed water remover, so that the remover can only do     an easy job of breaking the water film surface tension and shining     the surface. -   3. An air ventilator can be used for better circulation of ambient     air and for guiding air pass through the cavity between the IR     reflector and working fluid container, and its driving power rating     should be match with the rated whole system energy output to avoid     unnecessary waster of energy. -   4. Condensed water container will be a mandatory component if one of     the intended purposes is to produce fresh water for living,     otherwise it can be discarded. -   5. If passive virtual remover is used, a typical good choice for the     coating nanometer material is TiO₂ that is good for germicide, and     makes the reflector surface dirty-free. -   6. EHD component that is used to quicken the condensation process by     electrohydrodynamic high voltage sparking arc. It can be implemented     by arranging a plurality of metal spike-pairs between the IR     reflector and the working fluid container, as well as not blocking     the IR reflection path. The driving module is a high voltage     generator for this purpose that will consume fractional energy. -   7. Skirt of condensation cavity.     -   If the apparatus comprises a cylindrical working liquid         container in upright position that is similar to a cup, then a         siding skirt component can be opted to prevent air flow through         the cavity space too fast, else if the said container is         positioned with its axis parallel with ground, then the IR         reflector should be a bigger cylindrical shell to co-axially         enclose the inner said container. In this case, two side disc         skirts or say covers are needed to manage both ends of the         system.     -   If the apparatus comprises a spherical working liquid container,         the IR reflector should be concentrically positioned to enclose         the said container. The drainage hole on the said IR reflector         spherical shell should be downwards to ground. In this case, the         IR reflector itself acts like a skirt. -   8. Special material can be used for performance improvement.     -   Because the fluid container is ongoingly heated by IR photon         induced during condensation after starting finished, so at least         the exposed portion of the said container should be made of         quality material with decent IR pass-through and reflection         rate. -   9. Both working fluid container and IR reflector can be manufactured     in spherical shape, and assembled concentrically, in such a case,     the outer sphere shell plays 2 roles, one is as IR reflector, other     is as system thermal insulation shell, and the inner sphere no need     of direct insulation. As well as the IR reflector shell thereof, can     comprise 2 semi-spherical shells for facilitating manufacture and     inner plating. -   10. Although the regular glass is good IR reflection material, but     still not perfect for critical IR application. For performance, the     IR reflector usually needs a sliver mirror-like coating in an     economic way. -   11. The working fluid container can also be assembled by 2 pieces     parts. Because partial surface is insulated, the other exposed     surface demands good IR pass-through rate for converse IR heating     and selective reflection for triggering photon. The exposed surface     is supposed to be made of quality special material, so if the     insulated surface uses the same expensive material, it will be a     waste of cost. The quality sealing measurement should also be done     in this setting option. -   12. A pre-heater that is used for starting. It can be a submersible     heater inside working fluid container, or a mobile temporary general     heat source. Pre-heating the working fluid in elsewhere, then     transfer it to this modality also works if initial trouble is worthy     for expected long time running. -   13. Working fluid addition that is used to modify the fluid     absorption or radiation to some desired property. For example,     adding dye may increase the absorption performance; adding     anti-freeze liquid can make water work in winter outside. -   14. Insulation material can be Styrofoam or just like the classic     thermos inner vacuumed glass bottle that is plated with innermost     silver coating. -   15. Battery or hydro powered condensed-water sweeper only when the     whole system is degenerated as special thermos that maintains the     contained liquid constant temperature in minor electricity     consumption and without aggressive energy output. -   16. The tank for condensed water collection. It depends on the     circumstance, for dessert or marine application, this option should     be enabled, otherwise can be dumped in situ or elsewhere.

Disclaimed setting—if the IR reflector is just made of regular material, i.e. not constitutes a passive virtual remover of condensed water, then the supposed active scraper should be used, but I explicitly disclaim the special setting of the mankind-powered hand-scraper in that way the system is obviously not economical and will run in a very low efficiency though some latent energy of vapor still can be scavenged. Wish this disclaimer beneficial to the casual user in desperate condition.

The System Operation Procedures Comprise:

Step 1. The embodied system with this method needs a starting procedure. Based on the aforementioned scientific analysis, the starting duration can be calculated. During this step a heater is heating the working fluid to the expected temperature that can be determined by aforementioned analysis.

If a skirt of cavity is used, it can be lifted up before starting, and then should be pulled down after starting done.

Step 2. After step 1 finished, the system is ready for air energy scavenging process, then enable the sweeping mechanism if active scraper used, enable the thermal output circulation circuit, enable the air ventilation guiding mechanism.

A Method to Sift Unwanted Molecular from Compound Gas

Now we recognize the existence of IR radiation during phase change, and also recognize radiation heat transfer can happen almost in light speed, such a property causes water vapor can be selectively heated as well as unselected air major elements nitrogen and oxygen intact, then instantly makes the temperature of vapor enough higher than surrounding nucleus, then condensation happens.

This mechanism inspires me to think it in more general sight.

Now I present a new method to sift molecule.

In general, by such a specific molecule targeted selective radiation heating, if a special element is expected to separate from compound gas, a special wavelength photon can be used to sift the said special element provided it is greedy to absorb the said photon and then can be condensed on nearby temperature unchanged nucleation elements after absorption, as well as all other elements including nearby nucleation elements are not interested in the said photon.

For this molecule sift method, I define it as Selective Radiation Thermodynamic Molecule Sift (SRTMS). In such a context of molecule sift, the possible latent release is not be concerned, but it does exist.

The SRTMS invention potentially can be used in carbon fixation to reduce the anthropogenic massive emission of carbon dioxide that impacts environment and ecology system. Other laboratory separation application also is possible.

A Method to Scavenge Scraped Engine for Air Heating

According to the Reuters news report, only in the United States, there are at least 14 million autos sent to scrap yards. Recycling those tremendous autos by melting into raw steel ingot is certainly not the only choice.

Pistons in the internal combustion engine compress intake air. The compression ratio is roughly from 8 to 20 times dependent on the type of fuel. The compression stroke always instantly heats the air into very high temperature, e.g. for diesel engine circa 500° C., for gasoline engine circa 400° C.

Just imagine what happens if the fuel supply is cut. In the said situation, even by common sense, everyone will know the ‘exhausted’ gas is still air, and is hot, or at least warmer than intake air.

Some scraped engines may suffer low compression ratio, but even the piston ring leaking, the resulted low compression ratio still can heat the air, just in a degraded level.

So in a sense, a scraped engine can still be scavenged as a mechanical heater. Of course, don't worry about the efficiency, because even the friction loss does exist, the said friction loss will eventually becomes heat if the said heater installed in the heat-demanding space.

According the aforementioned spectrum analysis, the principle elements nitrogen and oxygen in air never consume infrared energy and all visible photons, so, heating the space air by regular heater such as electrical resistance heater, or oil/wood furnace, etc. is never an efficient way, because any of the said heat source is basically an IR radiator though small percent ultraviolet may emit.

The scraped engine diligently kneads surrounding air again and again, that is just the efficient way to heat air. As to the nuisance of noise, it can be overcome by using muffler or acoustic wave absorption shielding material.

There are many ways to drive the scraped engine heater, such as by electric motor, or by wind turbine via transmission. Driven by original lead-acid battery powered DC starter is not recommended, because the starter is designed for use of short time under 1 minute, also with too high currents, so choosing other high service factor motor is preferred for commercial use.

The power rating for mechanic heating is NOT the power rating of the scrap engine, but the same of the starter that originate drives the engine. For example, the original starter could be 1 kw rating for regular gasoline sedan, or 4 kw for heavy duty diesel vehicle. So, the ratio of power to weight or size is greatly reduced in such a recycling purpose.

I invent the so-called method of Wei Scraped Engine Air Heater, in the abbreviated form of WSEAH.

Definition of WSEAH Method

WSEAH stands for the Wei Scraped Engine Air Heater. It is a method to heat air by scavenging scraped engine to mechanically compress intake air, then to discharge the heated air, then to compress again, and then to discharge again, in such as endless cycling process. The noise-proof can be taken as per application requirement.

Scavenging the scraped engine by using it as mechanical heater will bring a profound positive effect in many aspects of economy, environment, energy saving, etc.

Of course, using a brand new auto engine to heat air, is definitely discouraged because of its high capital cost, but this not include the specially designed dedicated mechanical heater which is out of scope of this subject invention.

The price of scraped engine should be dirty cheap, and accessible and available almost anywhere.

There must be a big market potential if this method widely embodied in different applications. Even a special business mode can be derived based on this method invention.

Applications

Where there is water vapor, where there is latent energy!

The Sun is cooking the earth in every second, and producing vapor everywhere, as well as, all plants or vegetations also produce large amount of vapor by evapotranspiration function.

Don't look down on the amount of generated vapor. Detail calculation will show amazing result.

In average year, for a typical district of 1000 mm precipitation per year, every square meter land will roughly evaporate water 1000 mm/365=2.74 mm/day in average, it is equivalent to 1000*0.00274=2.7 kg/m²/day, or 2.7*2.3=6.2 MJ/m²/day, or 6.2*10⁶/(24*60*60)=72 watts/m², or 0.072*24=1.7 kwh/m²/day. All those should be credited to the Sun's cooking contribution.

It is said that the Sun casts light energy at the rate of circa 1000 w/m² on our Earth, the above calculation shows that 72 w/m² is used for evaporation. In other words, the Sun uses 7.2% of its gross solar energy for vapor production. So it is never a small deal in the latent energy of vapor!

The calculation result 2.74 mm/day or 72 w/m² is the average value. In summer, it is easily rising double. In city, those values can be significantly less than in rural area, as in rural area more open crop or grass land will evapotranspire more water vapor.

The regular family daily energy consumption is about 32 kwh/day in most North America districts. Based on the above calculated data 1.7 kwh/m²/day, if you can secure the latent energy hidden in the vapor that is daily freshly evaporated from the area=32/1.7=19 m² land, then you may be satisfied. If you need the energy in the form of shaft work, the 30% efficiency of heat engine should be considered, then the required land area is about to be tripled to 60 m², that is referred to yard area, not foundation area, because of no evaporation on building roof. Perhaps the lot size of your residence house is many times of the said area.

There are huge applications that can be implemented with WALES method to obtain free energy from ambient air space.

In fact water vapor omnipresent, so this invention can be used anywhere. But different location may pose different humility and vapor reproduction rate. For example, the lakeside, the facility with high population density (e.g. airport or railway station hall, inner space of bus/train), the cow barn, the cropland, and other similar spots, the vapor thereof will be quickly renewed by nature course.

If this invention applied in disadvantageous location, e.g. the dry zone, the system will greedily draw the moisture from ambient space, such that will make the local air too dry. Too dry environment makes people not comfortable.

So, the vapor-rich location always takes advantage for the application of this invention.

The season also matters to the application. In summer, 25° C. air can contain vapor 23 g/m³, but in winter not so luck, only 1 g/m³ in −20° C.

Some application may emphasize the energy scavenging, others may emphasize the fresh water production, the most ‘greedy’ application will emphasize every aspects: heat+power+freshwater all combined application.

Let's enumerate some applications classified on the different emphasis.

Cow Power Plant

Some special location in specific season may suffer from too much vapor generating, such as cow barn in winter, too much vapor exhaled by cows will impose bad effect to herd health, and the concentrated vapor will behave like mist to block the sight. If the farmer fully opens all doors and windows, the said bad effect will be gone, but the cows will suffer from the uncomfortable frozen climate. That is really a dilemma.

Generally speaking, dairy farm possesses large cow herd and barn structures, 100 to 500 cows is just the regular scale at least in North America.

Studies show that the adult bovine or equine animal such as cow, cattle, horse, is equivalent to a heater of 1 kw to 1.5 kw, average 1.2 kw power in the sense of thermology. The cow's body temperature is commonly around 38° C. Researches recognize that thereof 1.2 kw heat is mostly dissipated by radiant and convection (about 70%), the other 30% by water vapor and urine. The insensible vapor loss via skin pores and exhale is about 6.2 kgs in mass per day.

Just set aside from the cow's body radiation heat because scavenging the said heat is another serious story, only let's focus on how to scavenging the latent energy hidden in the said 6.2 kg vapor per cow per day.

The 6.2 kg/day vapor is significant enough. It is equivalent to the power of 6.2*2.3*10⁶/(24*60*60)=165 watts. Daily output is about 0.165*24=4 kwh. For a regular size family, assuming the daily energy consumption about 32 kwh, then in summer, 8 cows can meet the whole family energy demand, but in winter, may be more cows are needed, because the barn also consumes energy to maintain adequate temperature.

Scavenging Energy on Cropland or Inside Vegetable Greenhouse

The evapotranspiration of plant can produce unbelievable amount of vapor, easy double the regular evaporation. Such an application can also be labeled as Evapotranspiration Energy Farm

Don't waste the vapor energy in your vegetable greenhouses, just setup the application with this invention, and then you get a free in-house power plant, as well as not affect your vegetable production.

When a new water vapor molecule is generated from ground liquid water by the Sun cooking, its first choice of movement is rising up to sky vertically because it is lighter than air (H₂O molecular weight 18<air average 29), the second choice is going with wind flow in whatever direction with major possible horizontal direction. So the vapor on cropland seems illusive and volatile.

By installing transparent plastic cover on the cropland, you can make best use of all produced vapor, then improve the energy scavenging performance, as well as not stop the important photosynthesis.

A possible cheap structure with crawling space can be used to support the said cover-all film in shape of dome or canopy. The film should be of anti-condensate, because if condensation happens on film wall, it will waste energy unnecessarily. Converging all vapor to the energy scavenging machine is the only purpose. The said magic machine can be sitting on top of the dome where fresh CO₂ can also flow inside dome for consumption of plant photosynthesis.

If this application is used on a wilder low farming value land, such as unmanaged grassland or bush, the said structure can be built permanent, but if used on good cropland, then a temporary or foldable structure is preferred, because when it is time for harvest, the crop will be gone, and no more evapotranspiration function, only evaporation still works, of course then energy density will be reduced significantly.

With the configuration of cover-all film, the irrigation issue may raise, anyway, there are lots of methods to fix the problems: installing irrigation pipe system or punch lots of holes on the said plastic cover to let rain dripping in, however the latter may sacrifice energy performance a little bit, but it is better to consider how many holes enough to the normal irrigation demand because too much holes will unnecessarily further degrade energy performance.

The Comparability Between Evapotranspiration Energy Farm and the PV Solar Energy Farm

The photovoltaic (PV) solar energy farm now is in fashion in many developed and developing countries. As the production of PV silicon wafer consumes too much energy and delicate labor, so its high capital investment eclipses its market capacity. Nowadays market reports suggest the average unit price for PV panel is about $420 USD/m². In contrast, for Evapotranspiration Energy Farm, the open grass land or crop land can be simply covered with the cheapest structure that only supports a low height transparent plastic film on roof, with the said film possible cost far less than less $10 USD/m². The major capital is only concentrated on the vapor latent energy scavenger device but that is quite economically commensurate with system scale.

Now let's compare power density. For PV, the efficiency of quality PV is circa 10%, or say 100 w/m². In contrast, for evaporation in city, it is about 72 w/m²; for evapotranspiration in open crop land, it is doubled to 145 w/m²; for evapotranspiration inside hydroponic greenhouse farm, it may be tripled to 210 w/m² that is the double of 100 w/m² of PV.

The system power rating is about 4047*100=404 kw/acre for PV, and 4047*145=586 kw/acre for cropland evapotranspiration or 850 kw/acre for high density planting hydroponic greenhouse.

More importantly, the evapotranspiration energy project does not affect the farming benefit, in contrast, good farming land always refuses PV because PV intercept the sunshine, then affect the plant photosynthesis.

All in all, the evapotranspiration energy farm will loom better prospect.

Freshwater Scavenging Application

In dessert district or in coast community or marine vehicle, the freshwater is most desired.

In this application, not only freshwater is harvested, but also huge energy is scavenged.

For example, if you get 1 ton freshwater in free, then simultaneously you can theoretically harvest free energy 1000*2.3=2300 MJ=2.3 GJ, the equivalent kilowatthour is about 2.3*10⁹/(1000*3600)=640 kwh. For such productivity, may be the mini-size embodiment is hard to achieve such a result, big scale configuration should be considered.

According to the aforementioned calculation result in power rating: 1.5 g/s/kw in the context of heat & power combined generation, the daily freshwater productivity is about 1.5*24*60*60/1000=129.6 kg/kw/day. For the 1 ton freshwater daily productivity, the system rated power should be 1000/129.6=7.7 kw, or output 7.7*24=185 kwh/day if only for heat generation, otherwise 640 kwh/day at 27 kw combined heat & power rating.

Purportedly some good quality desalination equipment can produce 1 ton freshwater in only 5 kwh energy consumption. Compared with the application of this invention, the embodiment system not only consumes zero energy, but also contributes or say generates 640 kwh energy for the same 1 ton freshwater. It must be a miracle! Anyway it can be true in my invention!

Great Affects to Our Planet Future

All in all, my new theory will guide the world developing in a healthier sustainable mode. With the broad promotion of these inventions, the demand of fossil energy will be greatly be reduced, and more energy consumption will be redirected to the hugely deposited free energy that is hidden in the water vapor of ambient air, then the environment, the ecology, and the living quality will be getting better and better in the future, because of the reduced pollution and reduced carbon dioxide emission.

One day, you will see machines powered by ambient air; one day, you will see running cars powered by ambient air; one day, your house will be heated by ambient air; one day, your home appliance will also be powered by ambient air; one day the ship will be powered by abundant marine wet air; and so on.

The Sun will smile, and the Load will be satisfied with human being wisdom.

The profound affect is really revolutionary in history.

SPECIFICATION OF DRAWING AND TYPICAL EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is cited from the published dissertation of Potter W R, Hoffman J G. It shows the experiment curve of IR radiation spectrum of vapor condensation at 100° C.

It is the direct experimental proof that infrared photon will be radiated out during condensation.

FIG. 2 shows a commonly seen sample of meta-stable state. It proves that even “pull-up” stimulation can conversely cause “slip-down” result where metastable state exists.

An oval stone is staying still on a slope because the friction force has balanced the sliding force that is casted along the slope by the gravity.

Of course, push it down is just an easy job, but push it up in a quick pulse force you can also see the same last result: at first the oval stone will go up, then pause for a relax, then change direction to go down, then sit on ground.

When the oval stone is in standstill, it is in metastable state; and when it is in moving or relaxing, it is in non-equilibrium state. Non-equilibrium state possesses many special characteristics, for example, even in winter of −20° C., there is still 1 g/m³ water vapor in ambient air, surely it is just the effect of non-equilibrium, as the outside air is always flowing in wind.

FIG. 3 shows the most-likely daily seen phenomenon of hot-stimulating condensation in the cavity of the hot coffee bottom.

FIG. 4 shows the close-up photon view to the interface of hot coffee and underneath cavity.

This figure can help readers better understand my theory.

FIG. 5 shows the curve of hot coffee blackbody radiation spectral distribution. Atmosphere Window is marked therein.

FIG. 6 is cited from the Wikipedia website. It shows the Atmosphere Windows. In those windows, there is still very weak absorption by water vapor. The analysis in earlier paragraphs just simply omits this affect because of its insignificancy.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of WALES Modality with plain IR Reflector.

This embodiment is more like the style of hot coffee cup because its condensation surface is a plane. The exposed surface is the bottom of working fluid container. Scraper motor drives the sweeper to remove condensed water on IR reflector plane.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of WALES Modality with cylindrical or spherical surface IR Reflector.

This embodiment employs cylindrical or spherical surface IR reflector. The gravity draining function can be well exploited thereof, as well as the sweeper mechanism seems complicated, because if spherical surface, its blade no longer like the simple car windshield wiper, it needs special designed arc shape blade and respective driver module; else if cylindrical surface, luckily straight blade still can be applied, just mechanic design should be different with the possible reciprocating mechanism for plain style embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows an evapotranspiration energy farm with potential of 850 kw/acre generation.

FIG. 10 shows a degenerated application as a battery powered super thermos.

Degenerated application means the full function is shrinked to partial function for special application without fundamental modification. It is also called vestigial application.

In this application, no aggressive energy scavenging purpose, just for better performance of temperature maintaining purpose. It needs very little electricity from regular batteries to drive toy DC motor for sweeping condensed water on bottom IR reflection disc. The thermostat plug controls when to active the sweeping motor, in order to keep contained hot water not cooling down by supplementing the vapor condensation latent energy.

The sweeping DC toy motor no need of working too hard, as no heavy duty of energy output.

Reheating the cooled water will consume far more energy than taking advantage of free energy scavenged from wet air condensation even the vestigial device still consumes small amount of battery energy.

FIG. 11 shows Maxwell's Demon. Obviously the said demon does not exist in my inventions. 

I claim:
 1. A method to scavenge latent heat and freshwater from ambient air, that is labeled as WALES and defined clearly in the body of description. WALES stands for the Wei Air Latent Energy Scavenger. The spirit in this method comprises adequate insulation and actions: starting, removing, and circulating which is omissible only in a vestigial embodiment. The word ‘adequate’ thereof means that only insulating unexposed surface and keeping exposed working surface for high efficient IR energy exchange. In this method, by mimicking the aforementioned condensation phenomenon happened underneath the cavity of hot coffee cup bottom, some initial energy is used to start the system by heating working fluid that is filled in a container with adequate insulation, hereafter the condensing surface is well maintained by frequently removing condensed water with whatever means, as well as the working fluid is heated by the released ambient vapor latent energy in form of IR radiation, as well as the energy output mechanism is circulating the heated fluid to distribute energy to demanding terminals if not for conservative degenerated application. The condensed water can be collected in other purpose.
 2. A modality based on the method of claim 1, that is labeled as WALES Modality. Its definition and detail explanation is clearly expressed under the section titled with “The modality based on WALES” in the body of description. Hereby only a concise summary given: The said modality can be formed in following settings and/or options: Principle settings comprise: some amount of working fluid that is used for heat circulation, regular water is the cheapest choice; a working fluid container that is thermally insulated except an adequate surface exposed for the purpose of blackbody-like radiation in order to induce the ambient vapor water to condense; a good IR reflector that is positioned against the working fluid container's non-insulated surface; condensed water remover(s); a starting heater; a thermostat. There are 2 major choices for the condensed water remover, and 16 miscellaneous options for other configurable components that are also comprised in the said WALES Modality. All those are detailed in the body of description.
 3. A method to sift unwanted molecular from compound gas. In general, by a specific molecule targeted selective radiation heating, if a special element is expected to separate from compound gas, a special wavelength photon can be used to sift the said special element provided it is greedy to absorb the said photon and then can be condensed on nearby temperature unchanged nucleation elements after absorption, as well as all other elements including nearby nucleation elements are not interested in the said photon. It is also labeled as Selective Radiation Thermodynamic Molecular Sift (SRTMS).
 4. A method to scavenge scraped engine for air heating, that is labeled as WSEAH and defined clearly in the body of description. WSEAH stands for the Wei Scraped Engine Air Heater. It is a method to heat air by scavenging scraped engine to mechanically compress intake air, then to discharge the heated air, then to compress again, and then to discharge again, in such as endless cycling process. The noise-proof can be taken as per application requirement. 